James Jay Dowd, Sr., 76
James Jay Dowd, Sr., surrounded by family and loved ones, passed over on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Community Hospital in Superior.
“Jim” was born August 11, 1945, in Bremerton, Washington to Arlo Jay Dowd and Pearl Margaret White Dowd. He was the only child of Arlo and Margaret. Jim’s father, Arlo, passed in 1951, and was consequently reared in poverty by is widowed mother north of Houston, Texas. Jim’s children fondly recall his reminiscing of his “Tom Sawyer” like childhood days spent fishing, camping and exploring along the creeks and bayous of east Texas.
In June 1965, while working as a sandblaster, Jim purchased his first home and married his sweetheart, Joy Lee Golden. Their union produced two children, Trudy and James, Jr. During these early years, Jim began his first career as a long shoreman at the Port of Houston. His interests and hobbies during these early years included motorcycles, canoeing, kayaking, & camping.
In July 1977, Jim married Donna Lee Sharp, whom he met on a bowling league. Together, they achieved Jim’s childhood dream of building a log cabin and living off-grid in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. It was also during these years, Jim ticked off another box on his bucket list of touring the United States by motorcycle. Jim and Donna’s union produced two sons, Casey and Kevin. During these years Jim also began his 2nd career as a Sr. Deck Boss on the Troll Deck of the S.S. Ocean Phoenix. He loved his time at sea and time in Alaska. His sailing adventures also took him to ports of call in Asia; another box checked off his bucket list.
Valentine’s Day, 2001, aboard the S.S. Ocean Phoenix, Jim married Irma Arleen Forest Samson. In time, Jim decided to retire from the sea and return to his beloved mountain paradise full-time. He and Irma purchased a local small business and enjoyed their families and many adventures together.
In 2014 Jim met Evelyn Kaye Hardy and enjoyed his senior years with this lovely lady. He had great admiration for her loving and kind spirit. He often spoke of generosity and how fortunate he knew he was to have her unwavering love and affection by his side.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Arlo and Pear, his half-sister, Edith Loree, Joy Golden Dowd, and Donna Sharp Dowd.
He is survived by Irma Samson of St. Regis, MT, Kaye Hardy of St. Regis, MT, his children, Trudy (Jim) Burk of Wibaux, MT, James J. Dowd, Jr. of St. Regis, MT, Casey Arlow Dowd of Houston TX and Kevin Earl Dowd, of Houston TX. Jim has 6 surviving grandchildren, Andrew (Danielle) Dowd of Charlotte, NC, Blaine Bridges of Park City, UT, Jacob Dowd of Williston, ND, Olivia Burk of Wibaux, MT, Elijah Burk of Winn, ND and Amelia Dowd of Houston, TX, and 1 great granddaughter, Ginny Love-Dowd of Charlotte, NC.